The de-commitment of Blake Barnett, and his subsequent commitment to Alabama, left Notre Dame in a tough position. Brian Kelly and staff immediately implemented a plan of action and offered three other Class of 2015 quarterback prospects in Travis Waller, Deondre Francis and Jarrett Stidham, though the damage had already been done. Francis briefly considered Notre Dame’s offer but ultimately dropped them from consideration due to a lack of relationship, something the Fighting Irish were unable to develop while Barnett was still in the fold.

Travis Waller expressed heavy initial interest in the Irish and was considered the most likely recruit to take Barnett’s place in the commitment column, though the perpetual quarterback carousel has shifted away from Notre Dame’s favor. Waller recently received an offer from the Oregon Ducks, an offer he coveted and accepted on July 1st

The issues that have plagued Notre Dame at the quarterback position have left the program at a crossroads. Should Notre Dame reevaluate its options and offer a new slate of Class of 2015 quarterbacks or hold back and wait for an elite prospect from the 2016 ranks (Kelly and staff have already made extensive in-roads with the likes of Jacob Eason, a quarterback prospect who may end up as the #1 quarterback in his class)?

Each option brings unique problems. Waiting until the Class of 2016 to sign a quarterback could create space between Notre Dame’s quarterbacks. By the time a 2016 signee arrived to campus, Golson will have graduated and Zaire will have two years of eligibility remaining, with DeShone Kizer – likely to redshirt – having three years remaining. However, skipping a quarterback in 2015 could also come with a cautionary tale.

Everett Golson (5) throws prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

If Everett Golson lives up to the expectations that have been placed upon him since his elite performance against Alabama in the BCS National Championship game, the possibility exists Golson may forego his final year of eligibility at Notre Dame and head for the pro ranks. Doing so without a quarterback signed for the Class of 2015 would leave Notre Dame with only two scholarship quarterbacks for the fall of 2015 in Malik Zaire and an inexperienced DeShone Kizer, a less than ideal situation given Kelly’s history of needing two quarterbacks throughout a season.

The best solution may be one that’s least discussed: aggressively pursuing current Texas Tech quarterback pledge, Jarrett Stidham. Stidham, a Class of 2015 Texas native tabbed by Rivals as the #1 dual-threat quarterback in his class, was recently offered by Notre Dame, and there has been speculation that Stidham may be open to other programs. Kelly and staff should fight to get Stidham on campus for a visit, and failing that, should close shop and begin to focus solely on Class of 2016 prospects.

Whatever strategy Notre Dame’s coaching staff decides to take could have major ramifications moving forward.

Scott Janssen is a blogger for the Huffington Post and has authored several nationally-featured articles, including an appearance on MSNBC as a sports contributor. He talks football 24 hours a day, much to chagrin of his fiancée. Scott can be reached at scottjanssenhp@gmail.com.

27 comments

The QB issues have been an on-going nagging area since Kelly’s arrival. You would think this wouldn’t be happening by now. Pursuing Stidham probably not a bad option and if ND can’t persuade him, maybe then concentrate on 2016 outlook.

Kelly has shown the ability to get QB commits to flip late in the recruiting process. Also, remember that Golson was a 3 star by all recruiting services. This was mostly due to his height. If Kelly gets a serviceable 3 star QB that could bridge the gap if needed.

In any case, we don’t have to worry about Golson turning pro. First, he has no intention of doing that. He wants to redeem himself and also to graduate from ND. Second, unless he improves a great deal, no pro program would draft him.

Golson isn’t going to turn PRO after this season. He may not even be our starter by the end of the year, although I think he will be. You like to get a QB in every class, but I would rather skip 2015 and focus on 2016 before I’d bring another Tommy Rees into the fold in 2015. Having a guy stuck at the bottom of a depth chart that includes Golson, Zaire, and Kizer isn’t really helping us at all. Bring in a top competitor or don’t worry about bringing in a guy.

Overall, this will be a solid class. Not OSU or Alabama solid, but enough guys coming in that will fill some gaps.

This is like crying over which milk to spill…Golson can handle the next 2 years with no issues. If he has an injury we have a guy name Zaire to step up. If the world collapses and we have 2 QB’s go down in one year we still have capable Kizer to run the offense. If you think he is worse than in any way shape or form than Tommy Rees then you should consider this a tenuous situation. If they can add Stidham then we have our coffers full, if they cannot then we have one year where things get hairy…IF the #1 and #2 Qbs go down.

I am not betting that will happen, ND without a decent QB seems like a suckers bet….

“Should Notre Dame reevaluate its options and offer a new slate of Class of 2015 quarterbacks or hold back and wait for an elite prospect from the 2016 ranks (Kelly and staff have already made extensive in-roads with the likes of Jacob Eason, a quarterback prospect who may end up as the #1 quarterback in his class)?”

Head Coach Nick Saban enjoys the company of infamous alum Paul Bryant’s son at Tuscaloosa in what could be loosely called ‘an advisory capacity’ if called upon to advise.

Paul “bear” Bryant was well known as a negative recruiter in his tenure in Alabama. This true most especially if the university in question had a winning record versus Alabama’s Crimson (the original mascot name)…just a thought.

Regarding the question 2015 or 2016? It is probable that 2016 is the answer which work in favor of any organization who might not wish Notre Dame well or the Roman Catholic Church.
(I’m laying the message on a little thick here)

“Head Coach Nick Saban enjoys the company of infamous alum Paul Bryant’s son at Tuscaloosa in what could be loosely called ‘an advisory capacity’ if called upon to advise.” why cant we put ex nd stars on the payroll as advisors/recruiters” what is the rule? we cannot afford to lose so many 4 5 stars. you gotta think different-steve jobs. gggggggggggg

For the love of god bj stop with this. There are limits to the number of off campus recruiters an institution may have. There are also limits to in person contacts and telephone calls made to recruits. About the only thing not really regulated are texts.

Would you really want some ex player taking up the only in person or phone contact when they really know nothing about what the staff is doing. I know you love the past but how many of these kids even know x great players of ND. It’s been a long time.

Furthermore, how do you even know they’d want to do it.

For the last time, there are rules to recruiting. How many, when, where and why are all covered. I encourage you to get the NCAA manual on recruiting. It will be a good read for you and perhaps open your eyes.

It would be nearly reckless and approaching madness to not take a QB recruit in this class. Even if it is a Rees or a Hendrix. Quarterbacks tend to surprise.

Trust me, if this Spring, Golson suddenly bolted for the NFL (right, you saw Niklas’ and Atkinson’s departure coming, correct?) and Kizer decided to transfer to Toledo we would be left with Zaire, Malik, not the nation that encompassed Kinshasha.

Whether you THINK or GUESS that Golson will stay and that Kizer will also is not relevant to the risk management issue.

The peasants with pitchforks, and justification, would be storming the ramparts to get at Kelly, and just for spits and giggles, Matt LaFleur.

Hope is not a strategy, neither is wishing. The CEO is responsible for ensuring that the team is not placed in fatal peril.

These “rules-t0-recruiting” too which you refer are not adhered to or barely adhered to. Hilliard is an excellent example of a university who refuses to play by the “rules” or are you going to take issue with this also?